Seven Hills

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Lovely World of Egg Coddlers

I may not have had the time or attention span for crafting in recent weeks, but I can still show off the charming work of others. My friend Christina gave us a pair of china egg coddlers as a wedding gift, and along with it, a beautifully collaged little booklet, part instruction manual, part celebration of the art of egg coddling.

The inspiration ...

... which then becomes Egg Coddlers, the Book. Can a movie adaptation be far behind? I love the way the fruit motif of the paper perfectly echoes the design of the original china, without being an exact copy. How did she do that?

Admire the real wax paper wrapper layer on that stick of butter!

Helpful suggestions to make your coddled egg even tastier.

Bubbly textured white paper bubbles out of a pot of simmering water. I love the way the brown paper works as a background for this project.

Lovely coddled eggs are made even lovelier with the addition of toast and coffee.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

There hasn't been much time for crafts, travels, or even lobster rolls lately, as I've been focusing on the development and sustenance of one major project since early August.

Please welcome the littlest Somervillain, Henry Leo, age six-and-a-half weeks. Here he models the last knitting project I was able to complete, a raglan pullover in Rowan "Calmer" yarn from a pattern by Debbie Bliss. This is a great sweater for a newborn -- a nice wide neck that easily slips over the head, and very soft, stretchy, and comfortable. I customized the pattern slightly, making the body and sleeves a little shorter than instructed, so it would fit him as early as possible.

I've made tons of sweaters for friends' babies in the past, trying out different nubbly wools and tweedy yarns, but once I was making something for my own child, I saw all those old favorite fibers with new eyes, looking at them from the perspective of the little person soon to wear them, rather than my own aesthetic preferences as a knitter. That Donegal tweed might be gorgeous to work with, but surely it would be far too scratchy for tender newborn skin of my precious infant. So, even though I realized I was probably being a little overcautious, I went for a cotton-microfiber blend. He was a summer baby, after all--anything heavier would have been too warm to wear.

And to any parent who ever received a little cardigan from me made from scouring-pad-harsh Aran wool, still bristling with twigs from the sheep meadow, please accept my apologies.